Share

CHAPTER 97

Author: Holly S Roberts
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

Celina

“I don’t suppose anyone has sterilized their hands,” Dr. Santos says while shaking his head and offering me a tight smile. He slips on gloves and then moves in beside me to check the chest wound. If I thought Cal was calm, he has nothing on Dr. Santos. The man goes about his exam in slow motion. He checks Alex’s eyes and his fingers. He adjusts the oxygen level and then moves down to the chest wound. He asks Cal questions and seems confident in what Cal has done so far.

After checking Alex’s leg, he walks to the black bag he sat down when he entered and removes items. He methodically places them on the counter beside everything else that’s taking up room. He fills a hypodermic needle and administers the medicine to the IV line.

The doctor nods in my direction. “I need to remove the bullet. You can stay or go, but if you pass out, you’re on your own.” He’s in full doctor mode and the gentle man who examined Kiley is gone.

“I’ll stay,” I tell him. “Am I in your way?”

“Stand at hi
Locked Chapter
Continue to read this book on the APP

Related chapters

  • Hotter Than Hell   CHAPTER 98

    AlexI’m in pain. My entire chest and my fucking leg hurt. My eyes are blurry. A warm hand settles on my shoulder and I blink a few times so I can see Moon’s face. He looks concerned as I attempt to place bits and pieces together in my brain.“Celina,” I say in a throaty voice that doesn’t sound like mine.“She’s fine. So is Kiley and Mrs. Thomas. Celina will be back in here shortly and she’ll be relieved that you’re awake.”“How long has it been?” I try to lift my arm, but it hurts my chest too badly.“Two days since you were shot.”“Fuck.” I close my eyes and try to remember what happened. “Danita?”“Dead.”“Is anyone else injured? Gabriella?”“No, just you.”I close my eyes and the slideshow plays in my head. Each scene one I never want to relive. Celina’s huge eyes when she grabs Kiley from me. Going to my knee after Danita shot me in the leg. Trying to cover Celina and her niece. The fury in Gabriella’s eyes. The smoke that filled the hallway.No, never again.“How did she get in

  • Hotter Than Hell   CHAPTER 99

    Two months later: Celina The kids are playing in the backyard on the swing set. My mother and I now have a house of our own, but right now, I’m sitting in Theresa’s kitchen enjoying hot tea. It’s September and Oregon is feeling a touch of autumn. Theresa assures me it will warm up a bit before the weather completely changes. It’s different here. Four seasons to the two we get in the desert. I’ll adjust, or at least I will if I ever warm up.I’ve grown to love Theresa and her husband, Salvador. Also their two children, Daniella and Emilio. The children have been wonderful for Kiley. She’s still quiet, but her smiles and laughter come much easier. My mom bought her a tiny black and white kitten. Kitsy Kitsy sleeps with Kiley each night and the two of them are practically inseparable. When Kiley can’t take the cat with her, she brings her doll Mary. I’ve told her about Dax and I make sure she knows that Dax cares about her and that he’s the reason she’s in our lives.Kiley is still shy

  • Hotter Than Hell   CHAPTER 100

    Four months later: Alex The meeting with Dax went as well as can be expected. His men don’t trust us. I trust Dax and not them, so I understand. The terms we settled on will benefit us all. I didn’t think Dax could pull his club out of the meth trade, but it looks like he’s done it. We are investing heavily in medical marijuana farms here in Arizona. Dax is joining us. It will be legal for everyone in the next few years and not just those with a prescription. The suppliers involved in the medical end will have a head start when that happens. Madison is a big reason that we’re slowing down our illegal drug operation.She’s changed us all.I’ve never asked Dax what became of Kiley’s mom. I looked around the clubhouse today and didn’t see anyone who resembled a grownup version of Kiley. I never knew the woman’s name. Why the hell should I expect some meth-head woman to actually look like Kiley is beyond me, but I had to look.My sister informed me by telephone that Kiley was adopted qui

  • Hotter Than Hell   CHAPTER 101

    CelinaHe loves me. No, he hasn’t said the words but he’s come close enough for now. We’re curled together, his arms tight around me. I had no idea what to expect when I showed up. Had he moved on? Would he still want me if he hadn’t moved on?It took everything I had to be brave enough to come back to him. I’m glad I went away. I had things I had to learn about myself. I’m much stronger than I ever gave myself credit for. I can be stronger still. Strong enough to hold us together and fight for this incredible man. Fight him so I can stay.“You’re leaving in the morning,” he whispers in my ear. “You can’t come back.”This is what I’m talking about. I turn over and move my hair aside so I can see him. “You can’t make me leave this time.” I hope he hears the finality in the words.“Christ,” he says and turns his head so he isn’t looking at me.My fingers curl against the skin on his chest. Slowly, I dig my nails in. I know it hurts him, but he’s hurting both of us. My hand is over the s

  • Hotter Than Hell   CHAPTER 102

    One month later: AlexCelina face-plants again. Rack puts his hand out and helps her to her feet. I think she may be the worst fighter I’ve ever seen.“You’re going easy on me. Stop it,” she growls.“I just knocked you to the mat again. How is that going easy on you?” Rack grunts in mock disgust.“It didn’t hurt,” she whines between gasps for breath. Even with her hair pulled back severely, sweaty tendrils curl around her face and turn me on. Hell, everything about this woman makes me hard no matter what she looks like. I’ll take her sweaty, clean, or covered in mud. Right now and every minute of the day, I want her.They’ve been going at it for an hour. I tried to train her weeks ago, but I was worse than Rack. At least he leaves her with some bruises.“I like gun training better,” she complains.“Firearms training,” Rack corrects her. “Come on. You need to block and strike without landing on your ass.”“I bet you say that to all the girls.”Rack rolls his eyes and gives me a look. T

  • Hotter Than Hell   PART THREE: CHAPTER 103

    Before: DaxShe is so beautiful. The inner glow she carries can light up a room. Her rounded tummy is swollen with our child—a boy, according to the ultrasound. We chose the name Mason Dax Montgomery. If, on the slim chance the ultrasound is wrong, her name will be Masey Savannah Montgomery.I took half the day off work to drive my wife, Savannah, to the seven-month obstetrician appointment. We are both excited and basking in the bright rays of pending parenthood. I never dreamed about anything as incredible as Savannah having my baby.We eat cereal for breakfast—Savannah has one bowl covered in bananas and I enjoy two, minus the bananas. Her pregnancy brings about cravings for the yellow fruit, and it has become one of my favorite ways to tease her.“I have a really big banana for you,” I tell her with the best leer I can manage. She blushes and we both laugh at the joke I’ve said over and over since three or four bananas a day became her go-to pregnancy food. She loves me even when

  • Hotter Than Hell   CHAPTER 104

    Nine years later: Dax My damaged hog rattles between my thighs. Add the hot pavement rising up to sizzle the lower half of my body and the sun cooking my shoulders and I fucking guarantee it’s hotter than hell. If I manage to survive the next few hours, I’ll need to repair my bike, which will be costly. That’s really the least of my worries right now, and I shake off those thoughts. I should feel some form of redemption for saving the little girl who I just placed in safe arms. Kiley never deserved the drugged out mother who gave her life or what Fox, the president of the Desert Crows MC, had planned for her. The uncaring fog that’s been with me for almost ten years cleared when I looked into Kiley’s eyes. I didn’t think my plan to remove Kiley from the house would succeed, and I expected to die. Sadly, Kiley would have died too, but death was better than the alternative. I made it out alive with the help of unlikely friends and now Kiley has a chance. The truth—it will take much mor

  • Hotter Than Hell   CHAPTER 105

    SofiaHer bare fist skims my jaw without causing damage. The woman in the ring with me hasn’t been that lucky. I lost my last fight and have no intention of going down again. I kick my leg out and she moves to the side. Her mistake is dropping her right arm. I take advantage and let my fist fly. The solid blow sends her to the sand. There are no refs and I take advantage of that while she’s down by kicking her in the head and chest.This is street fighting, though here in Florida we do it on the beach. The people watching and placing bets form the ring. Nothing glamorous about the fight itself or the payout.Whoever the girl is, she doesn’t get up. She tries to crawl away and I won’t have that. I lean down, grab her ponytail, lift her head, and kick her full in the face. It finishes her and cheers and groans swell from the crowd. Joey Jay, promotor, trainer, and all-around piece of shit, walks over and throws his arm around my shoulder. I shrug him off and grab the water bottle from h

Latest chapter

  • Hotter Than Hell   CHAPTER 333: Extra Scene

    I rolled over and yawned, my arms coming from beneath the soft white cotton of the bedding and bumped the hard body next to me. Moon’s hand went into my hair and he moved his leg between mine and something very hard hit my belly making me smile. The smile lasted a few seconds before I covered my hand and jumped from the bed trying to get to the toilet before I lost the contents of my stomach. Yep, that was sexy. This time the hand in my hair pulled it back away from my face while I heaved my guts. He didn’t say anything and just waited for me to finish. It was horrible and at the same time endearing because I loved him so much. I stood and leaned back against his body. “Crawl back into bed and I’ll grab tea and crackers,” Moon said gently. I wanted to bitch and moan about the morning sickness but held it in. When I had my shoulder injury that took me from my career as a cop, I had a small amount of control. I could do my physical therapy and ice as needed and it worked. There was

  • Hotter Than Hell   CHAPTER 332

    Duke The wedding night was at the cabin and our honeymoon at the property. We had a week to ourselves. Cori laughed when I carried her over the threshold and straight to my bed. “Do not touch that dress,” I typed into my phone before checking the house was secure and I could fuck my wife for the first time. Her laughter followed me. When I walked back into the room, she was waiting exactly where I left her, smart woman. She opened her legs wide, the stilettos going to either side of the bed. A bit of red showed. The dress was fucking perfect. I crawled between her legs and pushed the yards of black lace up higher in the bed and snagged the red G-string with a finger. The garter wasn’t in my way. Cori sat up suddenly and stopped my exploration. “You spoke your vows.” I smiled even though my dick throbbed. “Thank you,” she added and lay back. I planned to fuck her until she couldn’t walk or talk. I didn’t remove the red nothing lace. I lazily fingered her, then took a long, slo

  • Hotter Than Hell   CHAPTER 331

    CoriIf I weren’t lying down, I would have fallen. Of all the things she could say, it was the last I expected and I couldn’t hide my shock.“No, I’m not pregnant yet but we’ve decided to try. We’re leaving and starting a family. Alex and Celina are taking over Moon’s operation.” She turned to Celina. “I’ll call it Alex’s operation eventually.”“Are you sure?” I asked softly.I was having trouble processing.“I’m absolutely positive. I thought I never wanted children but when Moon brought it up, I knew I was wrong. I want Moon’s babies.”“As in multiple?” I asked in horror.Children wasn’t something I ever wanted. I was not a rug rat fan and could tolerate Sofia’s rug rats for a limited time only. I thought Mak and I were on the same page.“We’ll decide if we want another after the first.”“Congratulations,” I offered, my voice uncertain.Melina started laughing.“You’re taking it how I did. The last thing needed in this world is a mini Austin.”I could most definitely second that.“O

  • Hotter Than Hell   CHAPTER 330

    CoriLife slowly returned to normal, though my new normal was much different than the old one. Things changed more after the cast came off and Duke could ride again. That’s when I became a true biker bitch.I blinged the shit out of my newly purchased black wardrobe and made that shit look good. I had standing orders from the other old ladies too. The club whores and I had a talk and we seemed to be on good terms. My end of that conversation was short.“Keep your hands off my man and we won’t have a problem. Touch him, even when I’m not around, and you’ll lose a fucking nipple, we clear?”They were fine with it. I understood their world. Respect was key. I had no problem with their choices as long as they respected me and my man.Dax’s club was a community of misfits and I fit in like I never thought I could. They didn’t care that I arrived in five-inch stilettos, looking like I was heading to a ritzy club. They accepted me as Duke’s old lady.Duke spoke to Dax and arranged a week off

  • Hotter Than Hell   CHAPTER 329

    Cori“How is Mr. Grumpy today?” Mak asked. She had her overprotective Pitbull at her side. I hadn’t seen Two-dogs since I arrived with Duke. I contained myself to the kitchen and Duke’s room. Two-dogs stayed out of Gabriella’s domain because the two of them stayed at war over what was permissible and what was not. I secretly thought Gabriella slipped the dog treats when no one watched but I had no way to prove it. I guess her new kindness made me think she was something other than Attila the Hun. I needed to watch those stupid fantasies.With assistance, Duke had made it downstairs for this morning’s physical therapy. He refused pain meds afterward and fell asleep exhausted. It gave me time to do something normal. I’d quietly left the room and gone to the outside patio to escape. The heat, even with the water misters, would make it too hot to stay for long but it was nice to be outside.I blinked at Mak who carried a towel. She took the lounge chair beside mine.“He’s sleeping. I’m es

  • Hotter Than Hell   CHAPTER 328

    DukeMy biggest problem was boredom. It almost went hand in hand with people poking and prodding constantly. I didn’t live at the clubhouse for a reason. If it weren’t for Cori, I would have found a way to escape Moon’s place the first day. Maybe. I was fooling myself. The ability to lift a spoon to my lips was pushing things.I remembered little about what happened at Wild Fur. Between blood loss and the damage to my stomach, I should have died in oblivion. Things were foggy since waking too. I remembered telling Cori I loved her. It just came out. I hadn’t practiced speaking in years. It was something I did when younger when no one was around. I never felt comfortable with the sound of my voice and eventually decided it wasn’t necessary. That was true until Cori. There were things she needed to hear. Cori hadn’t asked me to speak since it happened. I doubted she even understood what I’d said.My grandfather took me in when my dad went to prison for almost killing me. They were the b

  • Hotter Than Hell   CHAPTER 327

    CoriThe air in the room was soft if that were even a thing. There were four rows of chairs. There was a podium at the front. No crucified Jesus hung from the wall, only a large framed needlepoint with writing.“Enter in peace and leave your sorrow.”I sat in the front row and bowed my head. My prayer was to Jesus.“I’ve never asked for anything.”Tears gathered in my eyes and turned to sobs. I couldn’t go on and fell apart. So many thoughts tumbled through my head. I was the whore of Babylon. If there were a man who would hear me, it would be Jesus.“Please,” was all I managed the next time I tried.The quiet settled over me and I inhaled in and out slowly. Within a few minutes, I wiped my tears. The room, like Duke with his silence, gave me peace. It also gave me strength.I went back to ICU and held his hand again. He wouldn’t die because I wouldn’t let him. I spoke to him quietly and assured him all would be okay. I spoke of silly things. I had to keep the connection so he knew I

  • Hotter Than Hell   CHAPTER 326

    CoriIt took us more than three hours to get back to the city and another hour through rush-hour traffic to get to Wild Fur. Moon sent his men in first and stayed with me in the SUV. Alex and Austin were with the other women at his compound. Moon didn’t want them here. He’d also left a vehicle behind with four men on Duke’s property to dispose of the bodies.The men cleared inside the Wild Fur quickly. There were two female employees cleaning and handling inventory. The place didn’t open until eight at night. They weren’t harmed and they were assured they could leave after we found Duke. The men hadn’t located him when they cleared the building. Moon and I entered and were shown the entrance to the basement.A light had been turned on. It looked no better than the club upstairs. I saw a rat scurry along the wall. Moon found the hidden door within a few minutes. He pried it open and we entered the dark room.The smell of excrement and death hit us.Death.I couldn’t breathe.In the sha

  • Hotter Than Hell   CHAPTER 325

    CoriDuke never left my thoughts. If he was dead, so was I. My life changed that fast. We hadn’t known each other long and it didn’t matter. He was everything I wanted and most of all he was someone who loved me for who I was. I knew he loved me. He shared his silent world and refused to take advantage when he could have. From the time his arms wrapped around me in the car after my escape from Fernandez, we belonged together.My past didn’t matter to him because he lived in a world where endurance and hard work were part of life. Duke and the men like him respected survival.Moon brought more firepower than required and the guns we’d pulled from the cave weren’t exactly needed. I decided to stick with Duke’s weapons because he made sure I was familiar with them. A piece of him was with me.Our plan had been to ambush the vehicles a mile before the entrance to the property. Alex moved the attack to the house. I wasn’t worried about Cartwright’s men knowing the location. None would leav

DMCA.com Protection Status